42% of US iPhone 6 owners use Apple Pay in May and June

More than two fifths of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users reported having used Apple Pay between the end of May and mid-June, with 84% making more than three in-store transactions, the bi-monthly Apple Pay tracker from Auriemma Consulting Group (ACG) reveals.

Nearly a quarter (24%) used it in more than six stores during the same period and 70% say they are more likely to choose a store that accepts the mobile payment service.

The research, based on a survey of 500 iPhone 6 owners in the US conducted every eight weeks, also reveals that 76% have used Apple Pay more than three times for in-app purchases and 10% have used it for purchases in six or more apps.

“It’s likely that the number of retailers accepting Apple Pay will expand, especially as merchants hear from these customers and look at their purchasing power,” says Marianne Berry, managing director of ACG’s Payment Insights practice.

“In the early days after launch, we found a high level of intent to use among those who hadn’t tried it yet. As more iPhone owners gain the ability to use the service through the upgrade cycle, we’re seeing a pretty stable proportion of about 30% who are taking a ‘wait-and-see’ attitude, often citing security concerns about a new technology.

“The introduction of Android Pay later this year may accelerate the evolution of perceptions about mobile payments moving from novelty to mainstream.”